I am a student, however I'd rather spend time on studying building cost than architectural theory. I find it more beneficial towards my future professional career.
See if you have "RSMeans Building Construction Cost Data " in your library. That's a decent place to start. But construction economics is extremely variable and particularly depends on location. And, as an architect, the means and methods will almost always be out of your control.
Is that a guide that's published every year? I live in the UK, so I assume this is similar to Spon's price book?
I was looking into a book that would give guidance on how particular design decisions affects the cost of a building.
For example, I was reading Mitchell's Structure & Fabric Part 1 and there was a section termed " Economic aspects of building construction". The author went on to analyse the basics e.g. how an elongated building has a greater perimeter than a square one of equal surface area and therefore requires greater area of weatherproof external walling, which is more expensive than interior walling.
Also, I would like to know some rough figures on what part of the budget is allocated as a rule of thumb to each set of components (e.g. structure, services, envelope).
Finally, I would like to see some cost studies of buildings, analysing how particular design strategies reduced or increased the cost.
When it comes to books, getting recommendations from experienced professionals is way safer than doing online research and reading a buyer's review on amazon. I could google 'construction economics books' by myself but being an inexperienced architecture student I wouldn't be able to understand which books would be worth reading for my level. Hence the question I posted here.
Have you read any of the books that you listed? Do you recommend them based on your own experience as a professional?
If not your comment was a waste of time.
Jan 1, 17 5:57 pm ·
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Books on building cost?
I wish to learn more about building economics/cost of construction.
Is this specialised literature of quantity surveyors with incomprehensible jargon to someone with an architecture background?
Please recommend a book or two as introductory texts to this subject.
Are you a student? If so -- don't worry about this. It'll consume your life soon enough.
I am a student, however I'd rather spend time on studying building cost than architectural theory. I find it more beneficial towards my future professional career.
See if you have "RSMeans Building Construction Cost Data " in your library. That's a decent place to start. But construction economics is extremely variable and particularly depends on location. And, as an architect, the means and methods will almost always be out of your control.
Is that a guide that's published every year? I live in the UK, so I assume this is similar to Spon's price book?
I was looking into a book that would give guidance on how particular design decisions affects the cost of a building.
For example, I was reading Mitchell's Structure & Fabric Part 1 and there was a section termed " Economic aspects of building construction". The author went on to analyse the basics e.g. how an elongated building has a greater perimeter than a square one of equal surface area and therefore requires greater area of weatherproof external walling, which is more expensive than interior walling.
Also, I would like to know some rough figures on what part of the budget is allocated as a rule of thumb to each set of components (e.g. structure, services, envelope).
Finally, I would like to see some cost studies of buildings, analysing how particular design strategies reduced or increased the cost.
Any books like that?
It is like Spon. I assumed you're in the US because you don't know how do your own research.
Here are some books :
Modern Construction Economics by de Valence
Design Economics for the Built Environment by Robinson
Construction Economics by Myers
and a link:
http://global.ctbuh.org/paper/45
When it comes to books, getting recommendations from experienced professionals is way safer than doing online research and reading a buyer's review on amazon. I could google 'construction economics books' by myself but being an inexperienced architecture student I wouldn't be able to understand which books would be worth reading for my level. Hence the question I posted here.
Have you read any of the books that you listed? Do you recommend them based on your own experience as a professional?
If not your comment was a waste of time.
Block this user
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